The Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain
Traumatic accidents can lead to serious injuries, and two of the most common are sprains and strains. Like other injuries, these can range widely in their scope and severity. Sprains and strains can occur throughout the entire body. Sometimes, these injuries take a prolonged time to heal. It is essential for everyone to understand why joint sprains and strains happen. Some of the traumatic accidents that can cause these injuries include:
- Involvement in a motor vehicle accident such as a motorcycle or a car accident.
- A slip and fall injury that takes place on a wet floor or an icy sidewalk.
- An auto versus pedestrian injury.
In some cases, these accidents can lead to other associated injuries, such as bone fractures, that could make the situation worse. Everyone should take note of some of the critical differences between sprains and strains because their treatments, and the prognosis, can be different.
A Sprain versus A Strain
Some of the most common reasons why people visit doctors are joint sprains and joint strains. The definitions of these injuries are as follows:
Joint Sprain: In a joint sprain, the ligaments that support the joint are stretched to the point that they develop small tears. The job of the ligament is to connect two bones together. One typical example is an ankle sprain.
Joint Strain: In a joint strain, the muscles or the tendons in the joint are stretched too far, and small tears occur. The job of tendons is to connect muscles to bones. One of the most common muscle strains is that of the hamstring.
Some of the most common symptoms of joint sprains include bruising of the joint and pain that gets worse with movement. The joint might also swell up. In a muscle sprain, individuals may feel the muscle spasm. They might also notice that the joint has a reduced range of motion and limited flexibility.
The Treatment Options
For mild strains and sprains, the treatment is generally the same. It is essential for people to rest the joint, using it as little as possible, and to use ice, heat, and compression to try and relieve the swelling. In the case of a severe joint sprain, the ligaments could be torn to the point of requiring surgical repair. This is typically diagnosed on an MRI and is followed by a referral to a surgeon. Also, if a muscle strain has torn the tendon away from the bone, surgery might be needed to reattach the tendon.
Watch YouTube Video: Sprain vs Strains. This video discusses the difference between a sprain and a strain and the types of treatments needed for each injury.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer
In cases where a traumatic accident leads to a severe injury, the entire family is typically involved. The healing process can take a long time, and it could prevent someone from returning to work. This can leave the whole family wondering how they are going to make ends meet. Under these circumstances, families should meet with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Some of the resources that an attorney might share include:
- Review of the records from the accident to make sure that nothing has been overlooked.
- Help in pursuing damages that are related to the injury, any of its complications, or even emotional pain.
- Moving a case to court when needed.
Under these circumstances, every family should ask for help. An excellent first step is to meet with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Your family might be owed a financial reward.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. If someone suffers a joint sprain or a muscle strain, this could lead to a long recovery process that could prevent someone from returning to work quickly. If your family member has been hurt in an accident, please give me a call at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am proud to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and in the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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